Mr. Conger to
Mr. Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, December 24, 1900.
No. 483.]
Sir: I have the honor to confirm, on the
overleaf, my telegram of to-day,1 and to say that at 10 o’clock this morning the
representatives of the foreign powers met in formal session at the
Spanish legation with Prince Ching, who came with his secretaries
and interpreters. Li Hung-chang, who has for some days been
suffering with a severe cold, was not able to be present.
The joint note heretofore telegraphed to you, and of which a copy was
transmitted in my dispatch No. 482, of the 23d instant, was handed
to Prince Ching by the Spanish minister, who read the brief remarks,
copy of which I inclose. Prince Ching briefly responded in the few
words, copy of which I also inclose. Prince Ching then delivered to
each minister the full powers of himself and Li Hung-chang, which
appear to be in proper form, duly signed with the Imperial seal. The
sufficiency of the powers will be determined at the next meeting. I
inclose a translation of them herewith. I also transmit herewith
translations of the note of the Spanish minister of the 23d inviting
the Chinese plenipotentiaries to meet with us, and Prince Ching’s
reply.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Remarks made by Mr. de Cologan on placing
the joint note in the hands of Prince Ching, December 2,
1900.
I have the honor to hand yon a joint note in which the foreign
representatives have set forth, in the name of their respective
governments, the conditions necessary for the reestablishment of
friendly relations with China.
I beg you will transmit it to His Majesty the Emperor of China
and give us as prompt a reply as possible.
[Inclosure 2.]
Translation of Prince Ching’s address in
reply to M. de Cologan, dean.
Having received from their excellencies the ministers of the
foreign powers the proposals for peace, I beg to say that I will
at once send them by telegram to His Majesty the Emperor of
China. On receipt of His Majesty’s decree I will send the
foreign ministers reply.
[Page 247]
[Inclosure 3.]
Translation of powers granted Prince Ching
and Li Hung Chang.
An extraordinary Imperial mandate issued by His Majesty the
Emperor of China:
Whereas we are ‘desirous of placing the relations between
ourselves and the Government of the United States on an
universal and friendly footing, we for this purpose specially
delegate as our ambassadors plenipotentiary I-Kuang, an Imperial
prince of the first order, with the title of Ching, president of
the Tsungli Yamen, and Li Hung-chang, a member of the first
degree of the third rank of hereditary nobility, with the
honorific appellation Su-i, senior grand secretary,
governor-general of the province of Chihli, minister
superintendent of foreign trade.
They will meet and treat with the plenipotentiaries appointed by
all the powers, and, availing themselves of their discretionary
powers of action, in concert with them draw up preliminary
articles (of a treaty), absolute authority thereto to append
their names and affix their signs manual being granted to
them.
The said prince and ministers are animated by feelings of loyal
and disinterested patriotism, and their previous record of long
and distinguished service gives us assurance that they will
display care and diligence in the exercise of their functions,
and, by knitting together the ties of friendship which bind
nations to each other, prove themselves not unworthy of the
trust reposed in them.
We shall ourselves ratify such treaty as may be agreed upon, and,
if found to be in proper and due form, proceed to ratify the
same.
[Inclosure 4.]
Note from Mr. B. F. de
Cologan to Prince Ching
and Li Hung-chang.
Pekin, December 23,
1900.
Your Highness and Your Excellency: In
the name of my honorable colleagues I have the honor to invite
you to come to the Spanish legation the 24th instant at 10
o’clock a.m. for the purpose of having made known to you upon
what conditions the representatives of the foreign powers
consider that friendly relations between their governments and
China can be reestablished.
The representatives of the powers consider that this meeting
should be limited to the delivery of the note containing the
conditions to which I have just alluded, and that consequently
there should be permitted no exchange of views upon the
subject.
I content myself with communicating to your highness and your
excellency the text of some words which I have been charged to
address to you, and I will be grateful if you will, before the
opening of the conference, furnish me with the text of the reply
which you will make.
I improve the occasion to reiterate to your highness and your
excellency the assurance of my highest consideration.
[Inclosure 5.]
Pekin, December 23,
1900.
Prince Ching and Li
Hung-chang, peace commissioners, to Mr. de Cologan, Spanish
minister and dean.
Your Excellency: We have just received
your excellency’s note, in which you invite us to meet at the
Spanish legation on the 24th December at 10 o’clock a.m., when
will be presented to us in person the conditions upon which the
representatives of the foreign powers consider that friendly
relations between their Governments and China can be
reestablished. Your excellency requests that we forward to you a
copy of the address we will make at the meeting.
In reply we beg to state that it is right that we should be at
the Spanish legation at the ‘appointed hour. The grand
secretary, Earl Li, however, is laid up with a cold, and will
not be able to be present, but the prince, with his attaches and
interpreters, will attend the meeting of the foreign ministers
at the time named.
We inclose copy of the address which will be made at the meeting,
which we beg you will peruse.